Is slight unhappiness our normal state of being?

[sundizz]

Overall, life is good. Good health, good job, good friends, good girl, etc. I got my share of problems - student loan debt, a little cc debt, getting older, rents not down with the girl (interracial). All in all though I got enough compared to 90%+ of the world.

I still feel slightly discontent though. Not depressed at all...but it feels like we're taught as kids that the world is some special place. It's really people just trying to get more money. It all pretty much boils down to that one underlying truth.

[Nilocon165]

probably. i always find myself stressed over something, thinking "damn when this is over im gonna be so happy" but nothing really changes.

[outbreak]

Eh everyone has their problems regardless of wealth and success.

[Draz]

Were conditioned to stress and it has everything to do with wanting more than what we already have. The human lust for always wanting what we can't have makes us determined to think all about having it.

[outbreak]

Were conditioned to stress and it has everything to do with wanting more than what we already have. The human lust for always wanting what we can't have makes us determined to think all about having it.
Jameer in a nutshell

[JEFFERSON MONEY]

If you think money is the sole underlying drive behind all human beings, then you are sorely, sorely mistaken, sundizz and it makes perfect sense you'd be a bit unhappier. For starters, look up Russell Brand's interview on his journey into spirituality from hard drugs and whores.

Humans could experience near-bliss if they obeyed their higher nature through attaining virtues, continuously giving charity, learned to unlearn nasty reflexive conditionings/traumas they've picked up, and live completely 100% in the present moment. Ask yourself how would children or an ego-less natural man (not savage)... natural would live and perceive the world?

[sundizz]

If you think money is the sole underlying drive behind all human beings, then you are sorely, sorely mistaken, sundizz and it makes perfect sense you'd be a bit unhappier. For starters, look up Russell Brand's interview on his journey into spirituality from hard drugs and whores.

Humans could experience near-bliss if they obeyed their higher nature through attaining virtues, continuously giving charity, learned to unlearn nasty reflexive conditionings/traumas they've picked up, and live completely 100% in the present moment. Ask yourself how would children or an ego-less natural man (not savage)... natural would live and perceive the world?

I'm using money as the base example since it applies to most people. It's not money but the perceived social status, protection from the world changing, etc that they are after. Money is the best example/most common way people combat their most basic fear of survival (even when they clearly have enough).

I disagree though about what you are saying, because our perception of the future and past is what makes us humans. It's great being in the moment but it is a very Western selfish thought process. No good parent could ever be like that in good conscience. Planning ahead is necessary for the survival of the species...and as such is ingrained in us genetically. We are herd animals, not singular beasts (as much as we wish we were).

Breaking out of society is all good - but there is a reason people always return back to it. People become travelers etc for a few years...but almost no one does it for decades.

What you are saying is to be a Jedi. There is a reason they got dominated so hard (and only came back when they evolved to a better version).

[Heilige]

I'm using money as the base example since it applies to most people. It's not money but the perceived social status, protection from the world changing, etc that they are after. Money is the best example/most common way people combat their most basic fear of survival (even when they clearly have enough).

I disagree though about what you are saying, because our perception of the future and past is what makes us humans. It's great being in the moment but it is a very Western selfish thought process. No good parent could ever be like that in good conscience. Planning ahead is necessary for the survival of the species...and as such is ingrained in us genetically. We are herd animals, not singular beasts (as much as we wish we were).

Breaking out of society is all good - but there is a reason people always return back to it. People become travelers etc for a few years...but almost no one does it for decades.

What you are saying is to be a Jedi. There is a reason they got dominated so hard (and only came back when they evolved to a better version).


what are your thoughts on Buddhism and what Christ preaches in the Bible? Are you saying we shouldn't try to live like that?

With regards to your Jedi comment...what is wrong with living like that?

All that stuff you are chasing will never make you happy and you will just be caught up in an endless cycle.

[UK2K]

Overall, life is good. Good health, good job, good friends, good girl, etc. I got my share of problems - student loan debt, a little cc debt, getting older, rents not down with the girl (interracial). All in all though I got enough compared to 90%+ of the world.

I still feel slightly discontent though. Not depressed at all...but it feels like we're taught as kids that the world is some special place. It's really people just trying to get more money. It all pretty much boils down to that one underlying truth.

Then you aren't seeing how lucky you are.

I'm like you, good health, good job, good girlfriend (with wealthy parents), just closed on a house, brand new truck...

That's the stuff you have to enjoy. Best advice I can give is, do what you enjoy.

I enjoy being outside and video games (ironic). So, I spend my time outside, and I spend my time playing video games. And every night I go to bed, Im happy knowing I am able to do those things.

Throw in a few vacations every year and what's not to be happy about? You and I (it seems) live a stress free life. Very few people on this planet can say that.

Sooner you realize it, the happier you'll be.

[Bandito]

Jameer in a nutshell
:roll:

[enayes]

I've been feeling this a bit lately. I think it comes from lack of exercise and not being challenged at work/in life. I'm trying to change that now.

[Pushxx]

I've been feeling this a bit lately. I think it comes from lack of exercise and not being challenged at work/in life. I'm trying to change that now.

Yep...I've been there and for those two reasons exactly.

[highwhey]

I've been feeling this a bit lately. I think it comes from lack of exercise and not being challenged at work/in life. I'm trying to change that now.
Excercise definitely improves mood.

But i have to also agree on being challenged just in general, whether it be life or work.

[sd3035]

I feel happy most of the time, so I guess everyone is different. I suggest exercising more and doing things you enjoy doing

[Zach LaVine]

I'm generally happy.

[embersyc]

Well that's a core tennant of buddhism.

Suffering comes from desire.

You desire to have nice things.
You desire to be good at sports.
You desire to **** hot chicks.
You desire to not be hungry.
etc...

So end desire and end suffering.

Or as the Four Noble Truths put it:

The Truth of Dukkha is that all conditional phenomena and experiences are not ultimately satisfying;

The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha is that craving for and clinging to what is pleasurable and aversion to what is not pleasurable result in becoming, rebirth, dissatisfaction, and redeath;

The Truth of the Cessation of Dukkha is that putting an end to this craving and clinging also means that rebirth, dissatisfaction, and redeath can no longer arise;

The Truth of the Path Of Liberation from Dukkha is that by following the Noble Eightfold Path—namely, behaving decently, cultivating discipline, and practicing mindfulness and meditation—an end can be put to craving, to clinging, to becoming, to rebirth, to dissatisfaction, and to redeath.

[sd3035]

[QUOTE=embersyc]Well that's a core tennant of buddhism.

Suffering comes from desire.

You desire to have nice things.
You desire to be good at sports.
You desire to **** hot chicks.
You desire to not be hungry.
etc...

So end desire and end suffering.

Or as the Four Noble Truths put it:

The Truth of Dukkha is that all conditional phenomena and experiences are not ultimately satisfying;

The Truth of the Origin of Dukkha is that craving for and clinging to what is pleasurable and aversion to what is not pleasurable result in becoming, rebirth, dissatisfaction, and redeath;

The Truth of the Cessation of Dukkha is that putting an end to this craving and clinging also means that rebirth, dissatisfaction, and redeath can no longer arise;

The Truth of the Path Of Liberation from Dukkha is that by following the Noble Eightfold Path